Laboratory Tests to Determine the Cause of Hypokalemia and Paralysis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Laboratory Tests to Determine the Cause of Hypokalemia and Paralysis ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Laboratory Tests to Determine the Cause of Hypokalemia and Paralysis Shih-Hua Lin, MD; Yuh-Feng Lin, MD; Dung-Tsa Chen, PhD; Pauling Chu, MD, PhD; Chin-Wang Hsu, MD; Mitchell L. Halperin, MD Background: Hypokalemia and paralysis may be due tients in the non-HPP group had urine potassium con- to a short-term shift of potassium into cells in hypoka- centration values less than 20 mmol/L. Although the po- lemic periodic paralysis (HPP) or due to a large deficit tassium concentration was significantly lower in the HPP of potassium in non-HPP. Failure to make a distinction group, there was some overlap. In contrast, the transtu- between HPP and non-HPP may lead to improper man- bular potassium concentration gradient and potassium- agement. Therefore, we evaluated the diagnostic value creatinine ratio differentiated patients with HPP vs non- of spot urine tests in patients with hypokalemia and pa- HPP. Although only a mean±SD of 63±36 mmol of ralysis during 3 years. potassium chloride was administered in the patients with HPP, rebound hyperkalemia (Ͼ5 mmol/L) occurred in Methods: Before therapy, the urine potassium concen- 19 (63%) of these 30 patients. tration, potassium-creatinine ratio, and transtubular po- tassium concentration gradient were determined in a sec- Conclusions: Calculating the transtubular potassium ond voided urine sample. concentration gradient and potassium-creatinine ratio pro- vided a simple and reliable test to distinguish HPP from Results: Forty-three patients with hypokalemia and pa- non-HPP. Minimal potassium chloride supplementa- ralysis were identified: 30 had HPP and 13 had non- tion should be given to avoid rebound hyperkalemia in HPP. There was no significant difference in the plasma patients with HPP. potassium or bicarbonate concentrations and in the pH of arterial blood between the 2 groups. All but 2 pa- Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1561-1566 YPOKALEMIA AND PARALY- been misdiagnosed as having HPP.9 Be- sis (HP) is a potentially cause hypokalemia is the primary bio- reversible medical emer- chemical abnormality in patients with HP, gency.1 Morbidity and measurements of the urinary excretion of mortality are related to potassium were the focus of our evalua- Hcomplications secondary to hypokalemia tion. To establish whether renal potas- such as a cardiac arrhythmia or respira- sium wasting is present in these medical tory failure.2 Although there are many po- emergencies, one cannot wait for a pro- tential causes of hypokalemia, there are far longed, timed urine collection. Hence, a From the Division of fewer entities in the differential diagno- second voided spot urine collection be- Nephrology, Department of sis of HP (Table 1).1 Hypokalemia and fore initiation of therapy is the optimum Medicine (Drs S. H. Lin, Y. F. Lin, and Chu), and paralysis can be divided into 2 types, hy- sample to examine. In this study, we Department of Emergency pokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) due to sought to evaluate the diagnostic value of 3-5 Medicine (Dr Chen), a short-term shift of potassium into cells spot urine tests in patients with HP. Tri-Service General Hospital, and non-HPP resulting from a large defi- National Defense Medical cit of potassium.6,7 Center, Taipei, Taiwan; The differential diagnosis in a pa- METHODS Biostatistics Unit, UAB tient with HP can be challenging, but it is Comprehensive Cancer Center, important to make the diagnosis promptly STUDY SUBJECTS University of Alabama, because different therapies are required for Birmingham (Dr Hsu); and each type. Although some features dis- The study protocol was approved by the Eth- Renal Division, St Michael’s ics Committee on Human Studies at Tri- Hospital, University of Toronto, cerned on patient history such as a posi- Service General Hospital, Taiwan. Taipei, In- Toronto, Ontario tive family history or a recurrent episode formed consent was obtained from each patient. (Dr Halperin). The authors can be helpful, the clinical features of HPP Forty-three new patients with HP were en- have no relevant financial and non-HPP are almost indistinguish- rolled in this study between January 1, 2000, interest in this article. able.8 Many patients with non-HPP have and December 31, 2002. Hypokalemia and pa- (REPRINTED) ARCH INTERN MED/ VOL 164, JULY 26, 2004 WWW.ARCHINTERNMED.COM 1561 ©2004 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Downloaded From: https://jamanetwork.com/ on 09/28/2021 Table 1. Patient Characteristics and Final Diagnosis No. of Age, Patient Group Patients Mean ± SD, y Male-Female Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (n = 30) Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis 20 28 ± 8 20:0 Sporadic periodic paralysis 9 28 ± 7 8:1 Familial periodic paralysis 1 19 1:0 Non–hypokalemic periodic paralysis (n = 13) Primary aldosteronism 1 34 1:0 Gitelman syndrome 4 24 ± 2 3:1 Licorice ingestion 1 72 1:0 Distal renal tubular acidosis 5 38 ± 23 2:3 Fanconi syndrome with proximal renal tubular acidosis 1 42 1:0 Profound diarrhea 1 47 1:0 ralysis was defined as an acute loss of muscle power with an ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES inability to ambulate and a plasma potassium concentration that was less than 3 mmol/L on presentation. The paralysis tended Arterial blood gases were measured by an ABL 510 (Radiometer, to involve the muscles of the extremities and limb girdles. Copenhagen, Denmark). Biochemical values, including serum and urine creatinine, urea nitrogen, albumin, total calcium, inor- DEFINITIONS ganic phosphate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride, were determined by automated methods (AU 5000 chemistry ana- Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis lyzer; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Plasma osmolality (Posm) and urine osmolality (Uosm) were measured by freezing-point depression (Ad- Hypokalemic periodic paralysis must be defined on clinical grounds. vanced Instruments Inc, Needham Heights, Mass). There were 4 elements to the diagnosis. First, a positive family history, recurrent clinical pattern, or evidence of hyperthyroid- CALCULATIONS ism made HPP a likely diagnosis. The absence of the intake of agents that could cause a shift of potassium into cells was also The transtubular potassium concentration gradient (TTKG) was important in this context. Second, if there was no indication of calculated as previously described ([urine/plasma 10 other diseases known to be associated with potassium wasting, potassium]/[urine/Posm]). It is not physiologically valid to cal- 11 again HPP would be suspected. Third, if the patients required less culate the TTKG if the Uosm is less than the Posm. The urine than 1.5 mmol of potassium chloride per kilogram of body weight potassium-creatinine ratio, an index of the potassium excre- to return their plasma potassium concentration to the normal tion rate, was calculated using their respective concentrations range, this supported the diagnosis of HPP. Fourth, the absence in millimoles per liter. of an acid-base disorder strengthened the diagnosis of HPP.9 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Non–Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis The mean±SD was calculated for patient characteristics and Non–hypokalemic periodic paralysis was suspected if none of the diagnostic measures. A 2-sample t test was used to compare 4 findings in the previous paragraph were present, if there was the differences in diagnostic measures, recovery times, and an explanation for a large deficit of potassium, if more than 3 amount of potassium chloride that was administered in mmol/kg of potassium was needed to correct the plasma po- the HPP and non-HPP groups. Scatterplots were used for tassium concentration to the normal range, and if an acid-base data visualization to explore the cutoff values for diagnostic disorder was present.9 measures. PROCEDURES RESULTS A spot urine sample was collected before therapy by self- voiding if possible or with a Foley catheter if the patient was Forty-three patients with a severe degree of hypokale- unable to urinate. To avoid the possibility of obtaining urine mia (range, 1.5-2.6 mmol/L) and paralysis were in- that represented a mixture of urine from before the onset of cluded in the study. The male-female ratio was 38:5; their the attack and at the time of the attack, urine in the bladder on ages ranged from 18 to 78 years. Of the 43 patients, 30 presentation was discarded and a second voided urine speci- were in the HPP group and 13 in the non-HPP group. men was collected during the next hour. An arterial blood sample The mean age (28±8 vs 37±18 years) and body mass in- was collected in all the patients; venous blood samples were dex (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the collected through an indwelling catheter. All of the patients re- square of height in meters) (22.0±2.3 vs 21.5±2.1) were ceived intravenous potassium chloride administration at a rate not significantly different between the 2 groups. In the of 10 mmol/h until muscle strength had recovered and the pa- HPP group, 20 patients had thyrotoxic periodic paraly- tient could ambulate. The plasma potassium concentration was sis (TPP) (Table 1). Three known dihydropyridine- measured hourly during the attack and for 6 hours after recov- ␣ ery. The recovery time was defined as the time required from sensitive calcium channel 1 subunit (CACNA1S) gene the initiation of potassium chloride therapy to the recovery of mutations (R528H, R1239H, and R1239G) were ana- sufficient muscle strength to ambulate. The quantity of potas- lyzed in the patients with TPP, sporadic periodic paraly- sium chloride administered was recorded. sis (SPP), and familial periodic paralysis (FPP).
Recommended publications
  • A Lady with Renal Stones
    A lady with renal stones Dr KC Lo, Dr KY Lo, Dr SK Mak KWH History 53/F NSND, NKDA Good past health Complained of bilateral loin pain for few years No urinary symptoms/UTIs No haematuria Not on regular medications/vitamins No significant family history History Attended private practitioner in Feb, 2006: Blood test : Na/K 143/3.9 Ur/Cr 7.3/101 LFT N Urine test : RBC numerous/HPF WBC 5-8/HPF CXR unremarkable Given analgesics History Still on-and-off bilateral loin and lower chest pain Seek advice from Private Hospital: Blood test: WBC 3.2 Hb 12.9 Plt 139 Na/K 146/ 3.0 Ur/Cr 6.3/108 Ca2+/PO4 2.11/1.39 LFT unremarkable Urine test : RBC 6-8/HPF, WBC 0-1/HPF no cast KUB: bilateral renal stones (as told by patient) History ESWL done to right renal stone in 5/06, planned to have ESWL to left stone later But she then defaulted FU History This time admitted to our surgical ward complaining of similar bilateral lower chest wall pain (for six months) Had vomiting of undigested food 8 times per day for 1 day, no diarrhoea No fever Recent intake of herbs one week ago Physical exam BP 156/77 P 68 afebrile Hydration normal Chest, CVS unremarkable Local tenderness over bilateral lower chest wall Abdomen soft, mild epigastric tenderness, no rebound and guarding KUB Multiple tiny calcific densities projecting in bilateral renal areas with apparent distribution of the renal medulla bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis CT Scan 1 yr ago in private CT Scan 1 yr ago in private Investigations WBC 3.1 HB 13.1 Plt 137 Na
    [Show full text]
  • Electrolyte and Acid-Base
    Special Feature American Society of Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire 2013: Electrolyte and Acid-Base Biff F. Palmer,* Mark A. Perazella,† and Michael J. Choi‡ Abstract The Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire (NQ&Q) remains an extremely popular session for attendees of the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology. As in past years, the conference hall was overflowing with interested audience members. Topics covered by expert discussants included electrolyte and acid-base disorders, *Department of Internal Medicine, glomerular disease, ESRD/dialysis, and transplantation. Complex cases representing each of these categories University of Texas along with single-best-answer questions were prepared by a panel of experts. Prior to the meeting, program Southwestern Medical directors of United States nephrology training programs answered questions through an Internet-based ques- Center, Dallas, Texas; † tionnaire. A new addition to the NQ&Q was participation in the questionnaire by nephrology fellows. To review Department of Internal Medicine, the process, members of the audience test their knowledge and judgment on a series of case-oriented questions Yale University School prepared and discussed by experts. Their answers are compared in real time using audience response devices with of Medicine, New the answers of nephrology fellows and training program directors. The correct and incorrect answers are then Haven, Connecticut; ‡ briefly discussed after the audience responses, and the results of the questionnaire are displayed. This article and Division of recapitulates the session and reproduces its educational value for the readers of CJASN. Enjoy the clinical cases Nephrology, Department of and expert discussions. Medicine, Johns Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 9: 1132–1137, 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidelines for Approach to a Child with Metabolic Acidosis (Including RTA)
    Guidelines for approach to a child with Metabolic acidosis (including RTA) Children’s Kidney Centre University Hospital of Wales Cardiff CF14 4XW DISCLAIMER: These guidelines were produced in good faith by the authors reviewing available evidence/opinion. They were designed for use by paediatric nephrologists at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff for children under their care. They are neither policies nor protocols but are intended to serve only as guidelines. They are not intended to replace clinical judgment or dictate care of individual patients. Responsibility and decision-making (including checking drug doses) for a specific patient lie with the physician and staff caring for that particular patient. Version 1, S. Hegde/Sept 2007 Metabolic acidosis ormal acid base balance Maintaining normal PH is essential for cellular enzymatic and other metabolic functions and normal growth and development. Although it is the intracellular PH that matter for cell function, we measure extra cellular PH as 1. It is easier to measure 2. It parallels changes in intracellular PH 3. Subject to more variation because of lesser number of buffers extra cellularly. Normal PH is maintained by intra and extra cellular buffers, lungs and kidneys. Buffers attenuate changes in PH when acid or alkali is added to the body and they act by either accepting or donating Hydrogen ions. Buffers function as base when acid is added or as acid when base is added to body. Main buffers include either bicarbonate or non-bicarbonate (proteins, phosphates and bone). Source of acid load: 1. CO2- Weak acid produced from normal metabolism, dealt with by lungs pretty rapidly(within hours) 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Clinical Features, Genetic Background, and Outcome in Infants with Urinary Tract Infection and Type IV Renal Tubular Acidosis
    www.nature.com/pr CLINICAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Clinical features, genetic background, and outcome in infants with urinary tract infection and type IV renal tubular acidosis Min-Hua Tseng1, Jing-Long Huang2, Shih-Ming Huang3, Jeng-Daw Tsai4,5,6,7, Tai-Wei Wu8, Wen-Lang Fan9, Jhao-Jhuang Ding1,10 and Shih-Hua Lin11 BACKGROUND: Type IV renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a severe complication of urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants. A detailed clinical and molecular analysis is still lacking. METHODS: Infants with UTI who exhibited features of type IV RTA were prospectively enrolled. Clinical, laboratory, and image characteristics and sequencing of genes responsible for phenotype were determined with follow-up. RESULTS: The study cohort included 12 infants (9 males, age 1–8 months). All exhibited typical type IV RTA such as hyperkalemia with low transtubular potassium gradient, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis with positive urine anion gap, hypovolemic hyponatremia with renal salt wasting, and high plasma renin and aldosterone levels. Seven had hyperkalemia-related arrhythmia and two of them developed life-threatening ventricular tachycardia. With prompt therapy, all clinical and biochemical abnormalities resolved within 1 week. Five had normal urinary tract anatomy, and three of them carried genetic variants on NR3C2. Three variants, c.1645T>G (S549A), c.538G>A (V180I), and c.1-2C>G, on NR3C2 were identified in four patients. During follow-up, none of them had recurrent type IV RTA, but four developed renal scaring. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic mutation on NR3C2 may contribute to the development of type IV RTA as a complication of UTI in infants fi 1234567890();,: without identi able risk factors, such as urinary tract anomalies.
    [Show full text]
  • Abim Certification Exam: Nephrology
    7/12/16 Disclosures • I am site PI for the REPRISE study evaluating efficacy of ABIM CERTIFICATION tolvaptan in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney EXAM: NEPHROLOGY disease (Otsuka pharmaceuticals) JULY 2016 UCSF CME Division of NephroloGy Department of Medicine Meyeon Park, MD MAS As s is tant Pr ofes s or Roadmap for today • Glomerular diseases (30 min) ---------Scheduled 15 min break------- • Common electrolyte abnormalities (30 min) • Acid-base (45 min) • Acute kidney injury (20 min) GLOMERULAR DISEASES • Secondary hypertension (10 min) 1 7/12/16 Case Laboratory studies A 74 yo man is evaluated for a 5-month history of sinusitis • Hemoglobin 11.5 g/dl and intermittent otitis media. He has lost 9 lbs (4.1 kg) • Leukocyte count 10.8x10^9 /L and has occasional joint pains. • Blood urea nitrogen 28 mg/dl Physical exam: Afebrile • Creatinine 1.6 m/dl HEENT: crusting in right nares; opaque right tympanic • Albumin 3.8 g/dl membrane; bilateral maxillary sinus tenderness • C3 100 mg/dl CV: 2/6 systolic murmur • C4 32 mg/dl Lungs: rhonchi • Urinalysis: 18 dysmorphic erythrocytes and 1 erythrocyte Extremities: 2+ edema bilateral lower ext cast/hpf • CXR: nodule in RUL, hazy density in LLL Case Question Case answer review A. Antinuclear antibody – lupus nephritis – wrong age / Which one of the following studies is most appropriate? sex – low complements A. Antinuclear antibody B. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody – wrong B. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody history; usually younger men; no respiratory C. Myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody involvement D. Proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody C. Myeloperoxidase ANCA – can exist in granulomatous E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Selected Urine Chemistries in the Diagnosis of Kidney Disorders
    CJASN ePress. Published on January 9, 2019 as doi: 10.2215/CJN.10330818 The Use of Selected Urine Chemistries in the Diagnosis of Kidney Disorders Biff F. Palmer1 and Deborah Joy Clegg2 Abstract Urinary chemistries vary widely in both health and disease and are affected by diet, volume status, medications, and disease states. When properly examined, these tests provide important insight into the mechanism and therapy of 1Division of various clinical disorders that are first detected by abnormalities in plasma chemistries. These tests cannot be Nephrology, interpreted in isolation, but instead require knowledge of key clinical information, such as medications, physical Department of examination, and plasma chemistries, to include kidney function. When used appropriately and with knowledge of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern limitations, urine chemistries can provide important insight into the pathophysiology and treatment of a wide Medical Center, variety of disorders. Dallas, Texas; and Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 14: ccc–ccc, 2019. doi: https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.10330818 2Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Los Introduction values ,15 mEq/L. On the other hand, volume Angeles School of Urine chemistries can provide valuable insight into a expansion suppresses effector mechanisms and stimu- Medicine, Los wide range of clinical conditions. These tests are often lates release of atrial natriuretic peptide, leading to a Angeles, California underutilized because of the difficulty many physi- reduction in sodium reabsorption, causing urinary so- Correspondence: cians find in their interpretation. Whereas a basic dium concentration to be high. Thus, the urine sodium fi Dr. Biff F. Palmer, metabolic pro le obtained from a blood sample has concentrationisanindirectmeasureofvolumestatusand Department of Internal well defined normal values, there are no such values reflects the integrity of the kidney to regulate that status.
    [Show full text]
  • Near and Far
    CLINICAL CARE CONUNDRUMS Near and Far The approach to clinical conundrums by an expert clinician is revealed through the presentation of an actual patient’s case in an approach typical of a morning report. Similar to patient care, sequential pieces of information are provided to the clinician, who is unfamiliar with the case. The focus is on the thought processes of both the clinical team caring for the patient and the discussant. This icon represents the patient’s case. Each paragraph that follows represents the discussant’s thoughts. Adam Gray, MD1,2, Sean Lockwood, MD1,2, Aibek E. Mirrakhimov, MD1, Allan C. Gelber, MD3, Reza Manesh, MD3* 1Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky; 2Department of Medicine, Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky; 3Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Balti- more, Maryland. A previously healthy 30-year-old woman presented to but no fever, weight loss, dyspnea, dysphagia, visual chang- the emergency department with 2 weeks of weakness. es, paresthesias, bowel or bladder incontinence, back pain, or preceding gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. She had True muscle weakness must be distinguished from the more experienced diffuse intermittent hives, most prominent in her common causes of asthenia. Many systemic disorders pro- chest and upper arms, for the past several weeks. duce fatigue, with resulting functional limitation that is often interpreted by patients as weakness. Initial history should fo- History certainly supports true weakness but will need to be cus on conditions producing fatigue, such as cardiopulmonary confirmed on examination. The distribution began as proximal disease, anemia, connective tissue disease, depression or ca- but now appears diffuse.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
    CJASNClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology February 2018 c Vol. 13 c No. 2 Patient Voice 193 Accountability of Dialysis Facilities in Transplant Referral: CMS Needs to Collect National Data on Dialysis Facility Kidney Transplant Referrals Kevin John Fowler See related article on page 282. Editorials 195 The Urine Anion Gap in Context Daniel Batlle, Sheeba Habeeb Ba Aqeel, and Alonso Marquez See related article on page 205. 198 Why Nomenclature for Pharmacist-Led Interventions Matters: Conquering the State of Confusion Amy Barton Pai See related article on page 231. 201 Persistent Hematuria in ANCA Vasculitis: Ominous or Innocuous? Shannon L. Mahoney and Patrick H. Nachman See related article on page 251. 203 Employment among Patients on Dialysis: An Unfulfilled Promise Ayman Hallab and Jay B. Wish See related article on page 265. Original Articles Acid/Base and Electrolyte Disorders 205 Urine Anion Gap to Predict Urine Ammonium and Related Outcomes in Kidney Disease Kalani L. Raphael, Sarah Gilligan, and Joachim H. Ix See related editorial on page 195. Chronic Kidney Disease 213 Nondepressive Psychosocial Factors and CKD Outcomes in Black Americans Joseph Lunyera, Clemontina A. Davenport, Nrupen A. Bhavsar, Mario Sims, Julia Scialla, Jane Pendergast, Rasheeda Hall, Crystal C. Tyson, Jennifer St. Clair Russell, Wei Wang, Adolfo Correa, L. Ebony Boulware, and Clarissa J. Diamantidis 223 Association between Urine Ammonium and Urine TGF-b1inCKD Kalani L. Raphael, Sarah Gilligan, Thomas H. Hostetter, Tom Greene, and Srinivasan Beddhu 231 Medication Therapy Management after Hospitalization in CKD: A Randomized Clinical Trial Katherine R. Tuttle, Radica Z. Alicic, Robert A.
    [Show full text]
  • Urine Anion Gap to Predict Urine Ammonium and Related Outcomes in Kidney Disease
    Article Urine Anion Gap to Predict Urine Ammonium and Related Outcomes in Kidney Disease Kalani L. Raphael,1,2 Sarah Gilligan,1 and Joachim H. Ix3,4,5 Abstract Background and objectives Low urine ammonium excretion is associated with ESRD in CKD. Few laboratories measure urine ammonium, limiting clinical application. We determined correlations between urine 1 fi Division of Nephrology, ammonium, the standard urine anion gap, and a modi ed urine anion gap that includes sulfate and Department of Internal phosphate and compared risks of ESRD or death between these ammonium estimates and directly measured Medicine, University of ammonium. Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah; 2 Design, setting, participants, & measurements We measured ammonium, sodium, potassium, chloride, Nephrology Section, Veterans Affairs Salt phosphate, and sulfate from baseline 24-hour urine collections in 1044 African-American Study of Kidney Lake City Health Care Disease and Hypertension participants. We evaluated the cross-sectional correlations between urine System, Salt Lake City, ammonium, the standard urine anion gap (sodium + potassium 2 chloride), and a modified urine anion gap Utah; 3Division of that includes urine phosphate and sulfate in the calculation. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models determined Nephrology- fi Hypertension, the associations of the standard urine anion gap and the modi ed urine anion gap with the composite end Department of point of death or ESRD; these results were compared with results using urine ammonium as the predictor of Medicine and interest. 5Division of Preventive Medicine, Department Results The standard urine anion gap had a weak and direct correlation with urine ammonium (r=0.18), whereas of Family Medicine and fi r 2 Public Health, the modi ed urine anion gap had a modest inverse relationship with urine ammonium ( = 0.58).
    [Show full text]
  • Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA)
    Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) Rupesh Raina, MD, FAAP,FACP, FASN and FNKF Consultant Nephrologist Adult-Pediatric Kidney Disease/Hypertension Counncil Member for University Council of Deans Medical curriculum-Northeast Ohio Medical University Faculty Staff at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Cleveland Ohio. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA) • Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a condition in which there is a defect in renal excretion of hydrogen ion, or reabsorption of bicarbonate, or both, which occurs in the absence of or out of proportion to an impairment in the glomerular filtration rate • Thus, RTA is distinguished from the renal acidosis that develops as a result of advanced chronic kidney disease • The term “renal tubular acidosis” was coined by Pines and Mudge in their studies published in 1951 • These renal tubular abnormalities can occur as an inherited disease or can result from other disorders or toxins that affect the renal tubules. TYPES OF RTA Proximal RTA (type 2) • Isolated bicarbonate defect • Fanconi syndrome Distal RTA (type 1) • Classic type • Hyperkalemic distal RTA • Hyperkalemic RTA (Type 4) Physiology of Renal Acidification • Kidneys excrete 50-100 meq/day of non carbonic acid generated daily • This is achieved by H+ secretion at different levels in the nephron • The daily acid load cannot be excreted as free H+ ions • Secreted H+ ions are excreted by binding to either buffers, such as HPO42- and creatinine, or to NH3 to form NH4+ • The extracellular pH is the primary physiologic regulator of net acid excretion. Renal Acid-Base Homeostasis Can be broadly divided into 2 processes - 1. Proximal tubular absorption of HCO3 (Proximal acidification) 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Renal Tubular Acidosis
    Clinical DIMENSION Renal Tubular Acidosis Abigail S. Brown, BSN, RN, CCRN Renal tubular acidosis is a relatively uncommon clinical syndrome characterized by the inability of the kidney to adequately excrete hydrogen ions, retain adequate bicarbonate, or both. This syndrome can be categorized into 3 separate disorders, each with unique clinical characteristics. Although an uncommon finding, prompt and inexpensive tests can lead to early intervention and subsequently reduce complications from persistent renal dysfunction. The purpose of this article was to bring awareness of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatments of renal tubular acidosis to critical care nurses. Keywords: Renal disease, Renal physiology, Renal tubular acidosis [DIMENS CRIT CARE NURS. 2010;29(3):112/119] INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND general weakness over the past month. Examination results Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a relatively uncommon were relatively benign aside from general, diffuse muscle clinical syndrome characterized by the inability of the kidney weakness, dry buccal mucosa, and dry eyes. Her medical to adequately excrete hydrogen ions, retain adequate and surgical history were unremarkable except for an bicarbonate, or both.1,2 First illustrated in 1935, this approximate 6-month history of dry eyes that which was syndrome was further delineated as RTA in 1951.2 Renal unrelieved by over-the-counter eye drops. Her current tubular acidosis syndrome is manifested in the presence of a medications were only over-the-counter eye drops (artifi- relatively normal glomerular filtration rate, normal plasma cial tears). She denied any known allergies to medications anion gap, and a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.2-4 and denied the use of alcohol or tobacco products.
    [Show full text]
  • Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperkalemic Renal Tubular Acidosis
    CASE REPORT | RELATO DE CASO Diabetes mellitus and hyperkalemic renal tubular acidosis: case reports and literature review Diabetes mellitus e acidose tubular renal hipercalêmica: relatos de caso e revisão da literatura Authors ABSTRACT RESUMO Carlos Henrique Pires Ratto Tavares Bello 1 Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, de- Apesar de comum, o hipoaldosteronismo hi- João Sequeira Duarte 1 spite being common, remains an underdi- poreninêmico continua a ser uma entidade Carlos Vasconcelos 1 agnosed entity that is more prevalent in sub-diagnosticada, com maior prevalência patients with diabetes mellitus. It presents em pacientes com diabetes mellitus. A do- with asymptomatic hyperkalemia along ença cursa com hipercalemia assintomática 1 Hospital de Egas Moniz, with hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis acompanhada de acidose metabólica hiper- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa without significant renal function impair- clorêmica sem disfunção renal significativa. Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal. ment. The underlying pathophysiological O mecanismo fisiopatológico subjacente mechanism is not fully understood, but não é entendido em sua totalidade, mas it is postulated that either aldosterone postula-se que a deficiência de aldosterona deficiency (hyporeninemic hypoaldoste- (hipoaldosteronismo hiporeninêmico) e/ou ronism) and/or target organ aldosterone a resistência à aldosterona no órgão-alvo resistance (pseudohypoaldosteronism) (pseudo-hipoaldosteronismo) possam ser may be responsible. Diagnosis is based on responsáveis. O diagnóstico é fundamentado laboratory parameters. Treatment strat- em parâmetros laboratoriais. A estratégia te- egy varies according to the underlying rapêutica varia de acordo com o mecanismo pathophysiological mechanism and etiol- fisiopatológico subjacente e a etiologia, mas ogy and aims to normalize serum potas- seu objetivo é normalizar o potássio sérico. sium. Two clínical cases are reported and O presente artigo relata dois casos e analisa the relevant literature is revisited.
    [Show full text]